title: Bioresorbable versus titanium plates for mandibular fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare bioresorbable plates with titanium plates for treatment of mandibular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, from January to December 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with mandibular fracture were randomly divided in to two groups. The control group received titanium plates while the experimental group received the bioresorbable plates. All the procedures were carried out under general anaesthesia using standard surgical techniques. Frequency of plate/screw breakage or loosening, development of infection, malocclusion, malunion, wound dehiscence, the need for hardware removal and any other technical difficulties were compared between the two groups using chi-square test with significance at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 34 patients were included in the experimental group where 53 resorbable plates were applied. The control group consisted of 35 patients and received 52 titanium plates. The mean age in the experimental group and the control group were 31.35 ± 11.16 years and 34.31 ± 10.69 years respectively. Breakage of 16 screws and 03 plates was seen in the experimental group while no screw or plate broke in the control group. The results showed significant association of screw breakage with resorbable plates and plate removal with titanium plates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bioresorbable plates can be used as an alternative to titanium plates in mandibular fractures but with caution. They are a good means to stabilize fractures in patients where growth retardation and hardware removal may be a consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Waseem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Syed Gulzar
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ali Bukhari
authors.forename: Omer Sefvan
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Janjua
authors.forename: Uzair
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Luqman
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium